Media freedom campaigners in Honduras have welcomed the unprecedented arrests of 10 suspects – including a police officer – following the high profile murder of a kidnapped radio reporter.

Journalists had taken to the streets to demand an end to the killings of journalists in the wake of the brutal murder earlier in May of Alfredo Villatoro, who had been shot twice in the head. His corpse, dumped in a busy street near the capital, had been dressed in a police uniform.

He became the 24th Honduran journalist to be killed since the 2009 military coup that overthrew former president, Manuel Zelaya. The common factor in all the killings has been the apparent impunity for the assassins.

Now, in the face of growing protests, international condemnation and widespread revulsion at what the International Federation of Journalists calls "a co-ordinated attack designed to silence the country's media" the police and the national authorities have been prompted to act.

On Sunday five suspects – two women and three men, aged 15 to 29 – were arrested. An AK47, rifles, handguns and bullets were recovered from their homes. Two cars, thought to be linked to the kidnapping, were seized.

This came days after three other arrests in connection with the kidnapping and murder. Two prison inmates are also being questioned about their possible involvement in the case. One of those arrested is believed to be a policeman.

In recent days the Honduran government also announced its intention to draw up an emergency national protection plan for journalists at risk. Justice minister Ana Pineda said the plan was designed to "ensure adequate security to enable journalists to be able to work free from threats and intimidation".

The moves come after an unprecedented wave of protests at the killings. An estimated 5,000 protestors marched to the presidential residence in the Honduran capital, Tegucigalpa, chanting "killing journalists doesn't kill the truth" and demanding increased security for journalists and an end to the widespread impunity criminals enjoy. Other protests took place in San Pedro Sula, La Ceiba, Comayagua and other cities.

Newspapers have joined the call for action against the drug traffickers, criminal gangs and political forces which have created a climate of fear and intimidation for Honduran journalists since the coup.

On Monday Honduran newspapers, in a co-ordinated response, demanded justice and freedom for the media. La Prensa, one of Honduras' leading dailies, under the headline "Enough Already!" demanded the right to "exercise our vocation and have the freedom to show Hondurans the reality as it is".

• To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email editor@mediatheguardian.com or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".

• To get the latest media news to your desktop or mobile, follow MediaGuardian on Twitter and Facebook